Published: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 10:30 p.m.

Chuck and Margie Barancik, seasonal residents from Chicago, celebrate living in Sarasota for its cultural bounty, and for years have been generous patrons of the arts.

Facts

ABOUT SEASON OF SHARING
The main purpose of the Season of Sharing fund is to help needy families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
The funds may be used for rental assistance, utility bills, child care, transportation, food vouchers and other expenses associated with helping families get back on their feet. It may not be used for medical bills, cigarettes, alcohol or personal items other than food and clothing.
For more information, view the full guidelines for how money is distributed.
• 2011-12 Funds distribution
• 2011-12 Highlights, Q&A

But according to Chuck Barancik, the past year has brought a deepening of their philanthropy into areas miles away from the glittering arts scene.

“Here we are in a city with such cultural richness, and yet we have these needy people here we just have to help,” he says. “We have been shocked by the need.”

When the couple learned of Season of Sharing, a program to help local families on the edge of financial tragedy, they knew they had found a new calling.

“We just thought it was wonderful,” says Barancik, 84, who once owned and operated manufacturing companies in Chicago. “It's well-organized and all of it goes to the people who need it.

“We also liked the idea that very few of those who receive money have to come back for more the next year.”

Today, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which distributes Season of Sharing donations to 13 local agencies, will announce that the Baranciks are donating $100,000 — but there's a bit of a catch.

Before the donation is deposited, additional first-time donors must first add another $62,000.

With that added amount and the Baranciks' $100,000, the total for new donors will reach $500,000, a big milestone: The sum means a matching $500,000 will be donated by The Patterson Foundation, a Sarasota-based philanthropic group.

For the past three years, a combination of individual donations and the Patterson match has led to more than $1.5 million available each year for the poor in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

The money helps with rent, utility bills, child care, transportation, food vouchers and other expenses to get people on their feet and keep them from slipping into homelessness.

Aundria Castleberry, director of development at All Faiths Food Bank, says Season of Sharing funds allow it to buy food to be distributed by the Salvation Army and other social service agencies in Sarasota and DeSoto. The need to help feed the hungry continues to grow, she says.

Season of Sharing was created in 2000 as a collaboration between Herald-Tribune Media Group and the Community Foundation.

It has raised more than $8 million during that time.

Patrick Dorsey, publisher of the Herald-Tribune, says the paper supports the program by providing ads and writing human interest pieces during the holidays about recipients.

“Unfortunately, the needs never seem to go away,” he says. “The Herald-Tribune and community newspapers in general play a special role in a community and can garner support and bring people together better than any other medium out there.

“We have a responsibility to give back to the community, and this is a great example of fulfilling that role.”

Roxie Jerde, president and chief executive of the Community Foundation, says she hopes the Baranciks' gift inspires others to top last year's donations of more than $1.7 million. More than 2,500 people were helped last year, she says.

“So many of the envelopes we get have $4 or $6 in them,” Jerde says. “Sometimes it's people who received help in the past and wanted to pay some back. Everybody feels they can make a difference.”

About 75 percent of the donations are $100 or less, she says.

Dorsey says the Baranciks' gift reflects what he has learned about the area since joining the paper in October.

“They are excellent examples of the overwhelming generosity of this community,” he says.

The Baranciks originally sought to remain anonymous in their donation, but decided to come forward to personally encourage others.

“It's our expectation that this community will rise to the challenge,” Chuck Barancik says.

<p>Chuck and Margie Barancik, seasonal residents from Chicago, celebrate living in Sarasota for its cultural bounty, and for years have been generous patrons of the arts.</p><p>But according to Chuck Barancik, the past year has brought a deepening of their philanthropy into areas miles away from the glittering arts scene.</p><p>“Here we are in a city with such cultural richness, and yet we have these needy people here we just have to help,” he says. “We have been shocked by the need.”</p><p>When the couple learned of Season of Sharing, a program to help local families on the edge of financial tragedy, they knew they had found a new calling.</p><p>“We just thought it was wonderful,” says Barancik, 84, who once owned and operated manufacturing companies in Chicago. “It's well-organized and all of it goes to the people who need it.</p><p>“We also liked the idea that very few of those who receive money have to come back for more the next year.”</p><p>Today, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which distributes Season of Sharing donations to 13 local agencies, will announce that the Baranciks are donating $100,000 — but there's a bit of a catch. </p><p>Before the donation is deposited, additional first-time donors must first add another $62,000.</p><p>With that added amount and the Baranciks' $100,000, the total for new donors will reach $500,000, a big milestone: The sum means a matching $500,000 will be donated by The Patterson Foundation, a Sarasota-based philanthropic group.</p><p>For the past three years, a combination of individual donations and the Patterson match has led to more than $1.5 million available each year for the poor in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.</p><p>The money helps with rent, utility bills, child care, transportation, food vouchers and other expenses to get people on their feet and keep them from slipping into homelessness.</p><p>Aundria Castleberry, director of development at All Faiths Food Bank, says Season of Sharing funds allow it to buy food to be distributed by the Salvation Army and other social service agencies in Sarasota and DeSoto. The need to help feed the hungry continues to grow, she says.</p><p>"The money we receive absolutely keeps food on our shelves for our 190 partner agencies and programs," Castleberry says. </p><p>Season of Sharing was created in 2000 as a collaboration between Herald-Tribune Media Group and the Community Foundation.</p><p>It has raised more than $8 million during that time.</p><p>Patrick Dorsey, publisher of the Herald-Tribune, says the paper supports the program by providing ads and writing human interest pieces during the holidays about recipients.</p><p>“Unfortunately, the needs never seem to go away,” he says. “The Herald-Tribune and community newspapers in general play a special role in a community and can garner support and bring people together better than any other medium out there.</p><p>“We have a responsibility to give back to the community, and this is a great example of fulfilling that role.”</p><p>Roxie Jerde, president and chief executive of the Community Foundation, says she hopes the Baranciks' gift inspires others to top last year's donations of more than $1.7 million. More than 2,500 people were helped last year, she says.</p><p>“So many of the envelopes we get have $4 or $6 in them,” Jerde says. “Sometimes it's people who received help in the past and wanted to pay some back. Everybody feels they can make a difference.”</p><p>About 75 percent of the donations are $100 or less, she says.</p><p>Dorsey says the Baranciks' gift reflects what he has learned about the area since joining the paper in October.</p><p>“They are excellent examples of the overwhelming generosity of this community,” he says.</p><p>The Baranciks originally sought to remain anonymous in their donation, but decided to come forward to personally encourage others.</p><p>“It's our expectation that this community will rise to the challenge,” Chuck Barancik says.</p>